Hot Topics:

Rockies, Francis reach deal

Winter work continues on Colorado's pitching staff

By Troy E. Renck The Denver Post

Posted:
12/05/2012 11:23:08 PM MST

Updated:
12/05/2012 11:23:15 PM MST

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Rockies' 2012 season wasn't so much toppled by the competition as pummeled to death. In a recent MLB Network show featuring the longest home runs, Coors Field ranked first with seven, including Giancarlo Stanton's mind-numbing 494-foot shot to center field that sniffed the Rock Pile.

So, even if shortstop Troy Tulowitzki returns to near-MVP form and left fielder Carlos Gonzalez posts a career year, the Rockies aren't going anywhere without better pitching. While they continue to engage in trade discussions trying to find a top-end starter -- with outfielder Dexter Fowler as possible trade bait -- the Rockies are crossing their fingers with white knuckles that their existing arms will improve.

Wednesday, Colorado agreed to a one-year, major-league deal with Jeff Francis, pending a physical. He'll be asked to provide depth and protection for a rotation surrounded by uncertainty.

Francis said repeatedly in September that he wanted to return, and the sides moved quickly once his contract was guaranteed. Terms are unknown, though it will likely resemble the deal he signed last June, which featured a $750,000 base salary and $200,000 in incentives for innings pitched.

The second-winningest pitcher in Rockies' history, Francis brought a breath of sanity to the rotation. Colorado, however, needs better. It need a rotation with impact from Jhoulys Chacin, Jorge De La Rosa and Juan Nicasio, a group that all dealt with a variety of injuries and adversity this past season.

Advertisement

Drew Pomeranz, Tyler Chatwod and Christian Friedrich are expected to compete for the final rotation spot.

There were some whispers here at the winter meetings that the Rockies might look to move Chacin, given the number of innings he's logged at altitude. But he's still only 25, and showed renewed promise at season's end, along with good arm strength in winterball.

After a winless, awful April, Chacin acknowledged that he was experiencing a dead arm. Trainer Keith Dugger is credited for figuring out the nerve issue in Chacin's right pectoral muscle that left the right-hander weak when he rested between innings. Chacin posted a 2.84 ERA in 441/3 innings after he returned in August, giving hope that he become a reliable starter again.

This winter is already much different than a year ago. Chacin was at odds with general manager Dan O'Dowd over his weight, squashing talk of a multi-year contract. The Rockies are pleased with his current conditioning. And Chacin will spend several weeks in Arizona prior to spring training after the club felt it couldn't reach him last winter in Venezuela.

"Chacin is a competitive pitcher with a track record," said Rockies manager Walt Weiss, knowing that he inherited a rotation that was the worst in baseball by every measure. "If he's right, he's going to give us a chance to win."

After a brief stint in the instructional league, De La Rosa did not pitch winterball in Mexico because of slight left knee inflammation. He's living and training in Scottsdale, prepping for his first full season since 2010. De La Rosa said in October that it was important that he loses weight and strengthens his legs after spending so many months rehabbing his surgically repaired left elbow. Since the Rockies signed him to a new contract -- it will pay him $32.5 million over three years at season's end -- he has made just 13 starts. He will be the team's highest-paid player next season at $11 million.

Nicasio underwent microfracture surgery on his left knee this summer. He won't throw in winterball, the club preferring he build up arm strength in simulated games at its Dominican academy.

"He has been knocked down with some adversity and he's got some battle scars," Weiss said. "But he has an electric arm and I expect this guy to be able to show up and take his best shot. With improved health alone from some of these guys, we feel like we will be considerably better."

Boulder is pretty good at producing rock bands, and by "rock," we mean the in-your-face, guitar-heavy, leather-clad variety — you know, the good kind. For a prime example, look no farther than BANDITS. Full Story